what would happen in the alveoli if not for surfactant-smaller alveoli would empty into larger alveoli-smaller alveolar spheres would be more difficult to expand than large alveoli

surfactant is composed of what?

We all know that small alveoli are not harder to inflate compared to large alveoli. If this was true we wouldn't have such well matched ventilation and perfusion ratios. thus we know that sufactant lowers __1__. and that small alveoli have more concentrated __2__ vs expanded (larger) alveoli and thus are easier to expand. so __3___ radius ___4___ surface tension by ___5___ surfactant concentrations